NUJ and journalism practice

Members of NUJ body in a board meeting in Lagos

NUJ and journalism practice

commentary

Benedicta Bassey, Lagos

In a bid to enhance the practice of journalism in nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Journalism was established and inagurated by a six-man executive in Lagos.

The Nigerian union of Journalists which emerged in March 15, 1955 at st. Paul school, formed the core of a call for an independent Nigeria via the power of the pen.

It also marked the zenith of years of silent revolution for the actualization of a common forum by some early nationalists.

However, prominent among these nationalists with the fire of patrotism and nationalism bring in them and their writings includes, the first governor general of Nigeria, the late Owelle of Onitsha, the Rt. Hon Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first premier of the defunct western region, the late chief Obafemi Awolowo etc. are media practitioners in the dream of establishing a common forum for nigeria journalists.

In same vein, the union since inception had 15 presidents with Mr. Mobolaji Odunewu(1955-1960) as the first president with comrade Muhammed Garba the current national president.

Nevertheless, the union has a training wing, the international institute of journalism in Abuja, estalished for the realisation of its vision to train and retrain its cadre and to prepare them for absolute productivity in the media and aid national development.

Moreso, the body through its guiding principles and ethics had made the media to experience tremendious growth with high esteem in the country.

Furthermore, coupled with the media primary function to inform, entertain and educate, NUJ has emerged a professional media organisation aiming to connect journalists nationwide with the information and opportunities they need to advance professionally and improve media in Nigeria. Presently, NUJ membership are above 25,000 persons

Notwithstanding, the body which is operating under the right given to it by the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in chapter 11 subsection 22 states that “the press radio/television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundermental objectives contained in this chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the governing to the people”

Mission of the council

To safeguard the freedom of the press and the freedom of journalists to engage in legitimate professional activities;

To collect, preserve and publish such stastitical and other information as may be usefu for professional purpose;

To encourage the participation of members in decision making processes in the union and at their places of work in particular and the society in general;

To protect and advcance the socio-economic interests of the society and such other objectives as are lawful and set consistent with the spirit and practice of journalism;

To ensure adequate training and education of members;

To negotiate conditions of service and establish welfare statement of members;

To ensure strict adherence to the union of code of ethics as approved by the NEC or the national or special national conference.

To collaborate with organisation with similar objectives to defend the rights of nigeria citizen and society at large.

Without a doubt, the fourth estate of the realm entails a high degree of public trust, to earn and maintain this trust, it is morally imperative for every journalist to observe the highest professional and ethical standard.

Nigeria Model for journalism practice

For any media organisation to be able to achieve maximum excellence in their reporatorial, it must have a guiding principles and code of ethics that guide the operations and activities of journalists.

The ethics includes; journalist must maintain editorial independence, accuracy and fairness in reporting, privacy, privilege/ non-disclosure, decency, shun discrimination, reward and gratification, voilence, must hide the identity of children and minor, have access to information, maintian public interest, social responsibility, aviod plagiarism, copyright, and maintain press freedom and responsibility.

These are timeless guide for the journalists to which they must abide, regardless of the medium they are operating on.

However, the media on its part must aspire and work hard to stand firm and true in defence, reportage and promotion of journalism practice, values and ideas if it must continue to earn the esteem and respect of nigerians and the world at large.